Professional+Learning+Communities


 * Professional Learning Communities **

One great tool for PLC's is the **wiki's** that we have been using. These pages, such as wikispaces, are a way that a dialogue can be held online, as well as information shared. An educator could create it as a reference page, where only they are allowed to edit it, or allow other people to edit and refine as well. This is a great tool to have an online community designed to learn together as educators.
 * Tools- **

-Another great tool that can be used for PLC's is **blogging.** There are many different educator blogs already created that you can join in on, or create your own. You can search a topic, and usually see many blogs related to it. One popular blog is http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com. It is interesting to read other educator's take on issues that are affecting your school, students, and classroom right now. It is also a great way to get suggestions and ideas!

A useful tool for ensuring effectice PLC work is through **rubrics**. We often use rubrics to evaluate student work, but why not use them to evaluate the usefulness of the PLC meetings. Along with key indicators of what is expected, adminsitrators can assess the engagement and contributions of each PLC member.

Along with rubrics, leaders can use a **framework** to help guide members' thinking about curriculum. A framework can show the necessary implications needed for teachers to think about while designing new curriculums and the implementation for instruction to best meet the needs of students.

When using PLCs, it may feel daunting and as though the process can be hastened as groups learn how to use PLCs more effectively, but it is essential that the PLC community members go through the entire process of engaged inquiry to assess, analyze and create plans to solve specific problems of practice. One product of information/resource-strategies/ideas is the website All Things PLC (allthingsPLC.info). This site was created to serve as a collaborative, objective resource for educators and administrators who are committed to enhancing student achievement. They invite you to share your knowledge, ask questions, and get expert insight into the issues teachers face each day in the classroom.
 * Information/ Resources- **
 * Strategies/ Ideas- **